At the end of the Canadiens first practice of the day Friday morning, the traditional stretching circle formed at centre ice.

No one was in the middle to lead it.

Normally, this is an occasion for the team to select someone who warrants some recognition or attention on that day. During the regular season, it could be a player who is about to reach a milestone, or one who is playing his former team for the first time. Stuff like that.

While everyone was down on the ice getting ready to stretch, Jordie Benn skated behind Victor Mete, jammed his stick into his butt and pushed the rookie defenceman into the middle of the circle.

Mete would be the player worthy of recognition on this day.

Watching this happen was Mete’s defence partner since the beginning of training camp, Shea Weber, but also defencemen Mark Streit, Brandon Davidson and Matt Taormina.

Leading the stretch means nothing more than leading the stretch, but when you are a...